The Insider (1999)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  157 Minutes 

Rated: R   

Genre: Thriller, Drama, Biography

Director: Michael Mann

Starring: Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Phillip Baker Hall, Lindsay Crouse, Debi Mazar, Bruce McGill, Stephen Tobolowsky

IMDB Rank: 7.8/10

Part 1 Time: 91 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  66 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Jeffrey Wignad (Russell Crowe) contemplates going to the Mississippi deposition to provide testimony about the use of manipulated nicotine through ammonia chemistry (the science of making cigarettes more addictive). Wignad gets into a car heading towards the Mississippi court house.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Let’s go to court” Jeffrey Wignad speaks to Lowell Begman (Al Pacino) and Eric Kluster (Stephen Tobolowsky) prior to the Mississippi deposition.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Okay Jeff, we’re going to sit you down at that table over there. I want to start fast, before they get a restraining order.” Ron Motley (Bruce McGill) to Jeffrey Wigand.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, with his deposition and interview with 60 Minutes, Jeffrey Wignad will become one of the biggest whistleblower cases in United States history. Can a whistleblower case of this magnitude, be aired on public television? What will the implications be for the Wignad family and the news reporters of 60 minutes, when evidence can prove the unlawful practices of major United States cigarette companies?

Which part is better? Part one sets the stage for the film with Jeffrey Wignad’s decision to become a whistleblower. Here Wignad and his family are threatened/extorted by the cigarette company he is fired from. Wignad begins to communicate with Lowell Begman of 60 Minutes, in order to go on the record about the unlawful practices of the United States cigarette companies. Part two, shows the legal struggles and complexity of airing such information to the public. Part two is better as it brings this whistleblower narrative closure, showing not only the influence billionaire corporations can have on the media, but also the importance of exposing the truth no matter the cost.

Academy Awards: Best Picture (Nominated), Best Leading Actor (Nominated-Russell Crowe), Best Director (Nominated), Best Writing-Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated).